UNFAVORABLE Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

unfavorable

adjective

ˌən-ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-bəl

Definition of unfavorable

as in negative

opposed to one's interests the company chose to accept the unfavorable settlement rather than spend more money on legal fees

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of unfavorable The polling situation was similarly unfavorable to Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 and 2018 elections, but relatively minor in comparison with the disparity in tonight's electoral results. — David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 None of those circumstances turns an unfavorable employment decision into an unlawful one automatically. — William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 In July, Pew found that 53% of Americans surveyed had an unfavorable opinion of the court. — Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 2026 Further, potentially unfavorable strategies, such as around ad loads, content availability, or conservative programming, could theoretically spread to The Roku Channel under Fox ownership. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfavorable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfavorable

Adjective

To that end, Musk’s average favorability rating — net negative 16 percentage points as of Wednesday, according to Decision Desk HQ — has additionally improved, although only slightly, since July 2025 when his favorability was at its nadir.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
The beats create ample negative space for Holden to employ riskier flows, often deploying a double-time pace to burn through technically dense passages.

— Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of negative

Adjective

In fact, the National Trust for Historic Preservation says the nationwide average for a review is 16 days, and that 98% of those reviews conclude that the project will have no adverse effect on nearby historic resources.

— Rachel Treisman, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026
High prices also a factor But despite positive weather news and whispers of an abundance of crab, other factors could affect prices in adverse ways for consumers.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of adverse

Adjective

That night, Lee goes to Ginger’s house to tell her what happened — about his hostile showdown with the rupidoop, about Brawny Dude With the Butter Candies checking out Lee’s van in the Boontill parking lot.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
The trip to Leeds is another daunting assignment for United in what is usually a hostile atmosphere.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of hostile

Browse Nearby Words

unfathomable

unfavorable

unfavorably

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“Unfavorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfavorable. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unfavorable

adjective

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